New Orleans Baked Mac and Cheese

When you try this recipe you will notice that it is made with spaghetti noodles. Yes I said spaghetti. If you’ve never tried New Orleans Baked Mac and Cheese it may seem odd to you at first. But trust me the noodles work great. All that cheesy goodness coats the noodles and bakes in the oven until golden brown on top and bubbling on the sides. You will want this in your belly when you’re hungry.

Great recipe to make for a family meal. It goes with pretty much anything. There aren’t any crazy ingredients either. Butter, Flour, Cream, Cheese and some seasonings are the main ingredients. The sauce will taste a little better then your typical Mac & Cheese thanks to the Garlic and Cayenne Pepper. Not too spicy to feed the kids though.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

If you’re used to using elbows to make your mac and cheese give this a try. Using spaghetti noodles allows the cheese sauce to cling to the noodles. When baked it creates a wonderful casserole with a creamy pasta on the bottom and melted cheese on top. I like to use both Sharp Cheddar and Mozzarella. Because Sharp Cheddar has more flavor and the Mozzarella will give you that melted cheese on top look.

You will also love how this gets browned on top but the pasta stays creamy. No need for breadcrumbs or any other toppings. Just set aside some of your cheese to top your casserole. Great recipe to make for a pot luck too. You can make a whole pan and it goes with any type of meat.

What You Need

Spaghetti, Butter, Flour, Half and Half, Heavy Cream, Mozzarella, Sharp Cheddar Cheese and some spices. Its not too complicated and you probably have some of these in your house.

Spaghetti

Spaghetti will be the only change to this traditional mac and cheese recipe. You will be parboiling your spaghetti and then mixing it with the cheese sauce. Do not cook the spaghetti too long. About 6 minutes is perfect. You don’t want to overcook them because they will cook in the oven as well. If you cook them until they are done they will be overcooked when your cheese is brown.

Half and Half and Heavy Cream

I like to use a combination of Half and Half and Heavy Cream. This will allow you to get enough sauce for your spaghetti and add a little richness with the heavy cream. You dont need to use a lot of heavy cream since you will be adding cheese to the sauce. You can use whole milk in place of the Half and Half but your sauce will not be as creamy.

Cheese

Using a combination of Sharp Cheddar Cheese and Mozzarella will give you the best results. Your sauce will have more flavor from the Sharp Cheddar and your top will be full of melted mozzarella. Try to use block cheese and grate it yourself. Shredded cheese is okay but does not always melt as well. Use half of each cheese in your sauce and half to top your casserole.

Spices

Salt, Black Pepper, Granulated Garlic and Cayenne Pepper. These will give your sauce some extra flavor. Since you have a lot of cream and cheese you will want to season it. You can always decrease the Cayenne Pepper if your not a fan of spicy foods. But I would not skip the Garlic or Black Pepper.

Directions

Simply cook your spaghetti. Make your cheese sauce on the stove. Then dump it all in the oven.

Parboil Spaghetti

Fill a large pot with water and salt. Bring to a boil and add your spaghetti. Cook for about 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and drain. Your spaghetti will still be a little firm. That is what you want. It will continue to cook in the oven.

Make the Roux

Place a large saucepot over medium heat. Add the butter and cook until melted. Add the flour and whisk for about 30 seconds. It will form a thick paste. Keep whisking to make sure the flour and butter mix well. And it doesn’t stick to your saucepot.

Add Seasonings and Cream

Add your Salt, Black Pepper, Granulated Garlic and Cayenne Pepper to your butter and flour. Slowly add your Half and Half whisking as you go. Then add the Heavy Cream and continue to stir. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low. Allow it to simmer until the sauce begins to thicken. You want your sauce to simmer not come to a rolling boil. Especially when you add your Heavy Cream.

Stir in Cheese

Remove your pot from the heat. Add half of your Mozzarella and Cheddar Cheese. Stir until cheese is melted. It should be creamy but loose enough to cover your spaghetti. Do not return the pot to the heat to speed the process along. Your sauce will become gritty.

Cover Spaghetti with Cheese Sauce

Add your drained spaghetti to the cheese sauce. Toss until all the noodles are covered. Pour your spaghetti into a greased 9 x 13 baking pan. Sprinkle with the remaining cheddar and mozzarella. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Until cheese is melted and beginning to brown.

Tips for Success

• Always remove your pot from the heat when adding shredded cheese to your sauce. You want to make sure your sauce is hot enough to melt the cheese but not boil it. I find that if you continue to boil your sauce with cheese in it it becomes gritty. Add your cheese slowly and give it time to melt.
• You can prepare this the night before as well. Make your spaghetti and sauce. Dump in your baking dish and cover with foil. Refrigerate until your ready to bake. Just remember it will take about 10 minutes longer to bake since it is cold from the refrigerator.
• You can also broil your casserole for an additional 1-2 minutes if you like your cheese a little browner. Just do not walk away from your oven when you are broiling. Cheese burns very fast.

How to Store Mac & Cheese

• Store: Allow to cool. Cover tightly or place in a airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Mac & Cheese can be frozen for up to 3 months. Allow to cool then wrap in foil and place in the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
• Reheat: Microwave individual portions until warmed through. Or cover your baking dish with foil and heat in a 350 degree oven. Add a little milk if your pasta seems to dry.

Serving Ideas

• Garden Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette.
• Some warm Garlic Bread is always nice to go with Mac & Cheese.
• Crispy Fried Chicken or Pulled Pork are both great options for a family meal.
• Steamed Green Beans with Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice and Black Pepper.

New Orleans Baked Mac and Cheese

Jennifer

This New Orleans baked mac and cheese swaps traditional elbows for spaghetti noodles in a rich, velvety, and perfectly spiced cheese sauce!

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Course Main

Servings 8

Calories 785 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 lb Spaghetti dry
• 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter
• 4 tbsp Flour
• 2 tsp Kosher Salt
• 2 tsp Black Pepper
• 1 tsp Granulated Garlic
• 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper
• 4 cups Half and Half
• 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
• 3 cups Mozzarella Cheese grated
• 3 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese white or orange (grated)

Instructions

 

• Preheat Oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease your baking pan and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil with salt. Add your spaghetti and cook for about 6 minutes. Drain and set aside. You want your pasta to be slightly undercooked since it will cook in the oven.
• Melt your butter in a large saucepan. Add the flour and whisk for 30 seconds.
• Add your Salt, Black Pepper, Granulated Garlic and Cayenne Pepper. Whisk until combined.
• Slowly add your Half and Half. Whisk until smooth. Add your Heavy Cream and continue to stir. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer. Allow to simmer until it begins to thicken.
• Remove from heat and stir in half of your Mozzarella and Cheddar Cheese.
• Add your spaghetti to the cheese sauce. Stir until noodles are coated.
• Pour into your greased baking pan. Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 785kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 31gFat: 50gSaturated Fat: 29gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 150mgSodium: 1204mgPotassium: 384mgFiber: 2gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1580IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 668mgIron: 1mg

*Nutritional information is a calculated guesstimate. Please note that this can change with different brands and modifications you may make to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements you’re using with each recipe.

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FAQs

Can I use macaroni noodles?

Of course you can use macaroni noodles. But this recipe is called New Orleans Baked Mac and Cheese for a reason. Using spaghetti is what gives it a different taste and feel then normal mac and cheese.

Why did my cheese sauce become gritty?

Most likely you left your pot on the heat after adding the cheese. Also if you are using pre shredded cheese that can cause your sauce to become gritty. Try and grate your own cheese and take your pot off the heat when adding cheese.